Handsaw capable of cutting glass bottle, method for manufacturing the same, and method for re-using empty wine bottle

ABSTRACT

A handsaw capable of cutting a glass bottle includes a band-like handsaw substrate which is obtained by cutting a steel strip at a predetermined length, a blade portion of hard abrasive applied, by deposition, to at least one edge of the band-like handsaw substrate in the width direction, and a grip portion which allows the band-like handsaw substrate to be manually held. A method for manufacturing a handsaw capable of cutting a glass bottle, and a method for reusing empty wine bottles are also disclosed.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0001] 1. Field of the Invention

[0002] The present invention relates to a handsaw which can be used tocut glass, such as a glass bottle, a method for manufacturing the same,and a method for re-using an empty wine bottle.

[0003] 2. Description of the related Art

[0004] Wine bottles, come in various colors and designs, having stylishlabels, which enhances enjoyment in drinking the wine contained therein.However, since such wine bottles are formed from colored glass providedin a various range of colors, it is difficult to re-use empty winebottles. As a result, society has to deal with the mounting piles ofempty wine bottles which exist at present.

[0005] The Life Products Division of the Life Industry Bureau of theJapanese Ministry of International Trade and Industry have proposedrecycling empty wine bottles by melting the same to produce ‘ecologybottles’ wherein various colors of the wine bottles to be recycled donot matter, and also converting the wine bottles into constructionmaterial such as roadbed material for roads. However, the fact thatthere is no guarantee (agreement) that drink/beverage manufacturers willutilize such ‘ecology bottles’ poses a major problem, and theconstruction material made from wine bottles is still at the testing andresearch stage so that it will take a long time before such constructionmaterial can be put into practical use. On the other hand, if the bottomportion of a bottle such as a wine bottle, a “sake” bottle, or a colabottle can be manually cut, as a do-it-yourself (DIY) project, the cutbottle can be reused as a flowerpot, for example, wherein the cut bottleis turned upside-down. However, a diamond cutter which is commonly usedby a glazier to cut plate glass cannot be used to cut a glass bottle.

[0006] A file-type cutter and a wire-type cutter are also known in theart as a handy glass cutter as an alternative to a diamond cutter. Ineither cutter, hard abrasive such as diamond abrasive is used. In thefile-type cutter, diamond abrasive is applied to a surface of asubstrate having a wedge-shaped cross section. In the wire-type cutter,diamond abrasive is applied to a stainless wire. However, in thefile-type cutter, it is impossible to deeply cut glass because of thewedge-shaped section (i.e., it is impossible to cut thick glassware,such as a glass bottle), and in the wire-type cutter, it is difficultfor a user to exert a strong force on the cutter because the wire isflexible, or it is difficult to cut an object along a straight line.Moreover, the wire of the wire-type is easily broken.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0007] It is an object of the present invention to provide a handsawwhich can be conveniently and easily used to cut glassware of variousshapes, such as a glass bottle. Another object of the present inventionis to provide a method for manufacturing such a handsaw.

[0008] It is another object of the present invention to provide autilizing method for reusing empty wine bottles without melting thesame, and for utilizing the same as a wine bottle planter (e.g., aflower pot).

[0009] According to an aspect of the present invention, a handsawcapable of cutting a glass bottle is provided, including a band-likehandsaw substrate which is obtained by cutting a steel strip at apredetermined length, a blade portion of hard abrasive applied, bydeposition, to at least one edge of the band-like handsaw substrate inthe width direction, and a grip portion which allows the band-likehandsaw substrate to be manually held.

[0010] In an embodiment, the grip portion includes a grip body whichcovers one end of the band-like handsaw substrate in the lengthdirection thereof, and which is secured to the band-like handsawsubstrate.

[0011] In an embodiment, the handsaw substrate is provided, on the gripside thereof, with at least two holes, the grip body being split intotwo halves with respect to a center plane of the thickness of theband-like handsaw substrate, one of the two halves being provided withprojections which can be fitted in the corresponding the holes of theband-like handsaw substrate.

[0012] In an embodiment, the grip portion is a hacksaw frame to whichthe ends of the band-like handsaw substrate in the length direction aresecured.

[0013] According to another aspect fo the present invention, a methodfor manufacturing a handsaw capable of cutting a glass bottle isprovided, including cutting a steel strip at a predetermined length toform a band-like handsaw substrate; masking the portion of the band-likehandsaw substrate other than a cutter blade forming portion formed on atleast one edge of the handsaw substrate in the width direction; applyinghard abrasive on the portion of the handsaw substrate other than themasked portion thereof; and dipping the band-like handsaw substrate, towhich the hard abrasive has been applied, in an electrolytic solutiontank to deposit a metal layer in which the hard abrasive is embedded.

[0014] In an embodiment, the method for manufacturing a handsaw furtherincludes securing a grip body to one end of the band-like handsawsubstrate in the length direction, upon the band-like handsaw substratebeing subjected to the electrolytic deposition.

[0015] In an embodiment, the band-like handsaw substrate is provided, onopposite ends thereof, with holes which are adapted to secure the handsaw to a hacksaw frame.

[0016] According to another aspect of the present invention, a methodfor reusing empty wine bottles is provided, the method including cuttinga bottom portion of an empty wine bottle, and turning the cut the emptywine bottle upside-down so as to be utilized as a wine bottle planter.

[0017] The present disclosure relates to subject matter contained inJapanese Patent Application No.2000-308833 (filed on Oct. 10, 2000)which is expressly incorporated herein by reference in its entirety.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0018] The present invention will be discussed below in detail, withreference to the accompanying drawings, in which:

[0019]FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing manufacturing processes of ahandsaw having a grip body before electrolytic deposition, according tothe present invention;

[0020]FIG. 2 is a schematic view showing electrolytic deposition ofdiamond abrasive;

[0021]FIG. 3 is a schematic sectional view of a cutter blade formingportion upon electrolytic deposition of diamond abrasive beingcompleted;

[0022]FIG. 4 is a perspective view of a band-like handsaw substrate anda grip portion in a disassembled state, wherein the electrolyticdeposition is completed;

[0023]FIG. 5 is a perspective view of an assembled handsaw being used tocut a glass bottle;

[0024]FIG. 6 is a sectional view of a cut glass bottle which is turnedupside-down and is reused as a flowerpot; and

[0025]FIG. 7 is a front elevational view of a hacksaw-type handsawaccording to the present invention.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

[0026] An embodiment of a handsaw capable of cutting a glass bottle anda manufacturing method thereof according to the present invention willbe described below. FIGS. 1 through 5 show an embodiment of a handsawwhich is provided at one end thereof with a grip body as a holdingportion. A band-like handsaw substrate 11 is obtained by cutting astainless steel strip 10 shown in FIG. 1 at a predetermined length. Theends of the band-like handsaw substrate 11 in the longitudinal directionare preferably rounded or arch-shaped (chamfered). The band-like handsawsubstrate 11 is provided on one end thereof with two securing holes 12which are spaced at an appropriate distance. The stainless steel strip10 is selected so that the handsaw substrate obtained by cutting thestainless steel strip 10 exhibits appropriate flexibility and hardnessas a handsaw.

[0027] The portion of the substrate 11 other than the cutter bladeforming portion 11 a, formed at one side of the substrate in the widthdirection, is masked with a non-conductive masking tape 13. The endportion of the substrate 11 on the grip side on which the holes 12 areformed is also masked with the non-conductive masking tape. Namely, thesubstrate 11 is fully masked, with exception to the blade formingportion 11 a which is exposed.

[0028] After the band-like handsaw substrate 11 is masked with thenon-conductive masking tape 13, diamond abrasive 14 is provisionallyapplied to the cutter blade portion 11 a. The provisionally applieddiamond abrasive is spread along the edge surface of the cutter bladeforming portion 11 a and along portions of the front and rear surfacesof the substrate 11 within the cutter blade forming portion 11 a. Theprovisional application of the diamond abrasive can be carried out, forexample, by electrolytic plating. The particle size of the diamondabrasive 14 is preferably in the range of approximately 80 to 200meshes.

[0029] The band-like handsaw substrate 11, of which the diamond abrasiveis provisionally applied to the cutter blade forming portion lla, isthereafter dipped in an electrolytic deposition tank (plating tank) 15,as shown in FIG. 2. The electrolytic deposition tank 15 is filled withelectrolytic solution (solution of nickel compound such as nickelsulfate) 16. In the electrolytic solution 16, a cathode connected to anexternal DC power source 17 is connected to the band-like handsawsubstrate 11 and an anode is connected to a nickel plate 18. In thisstate, when electricity is supplied from the DC power source 17,oxidation and reduction occur at the cathode and anode, respectively.Consequently, nickel is electrolytically deposited (plated) on thecutter blade forming portion 11 a connected to the cathode. Thus, asshown in FIG. 3, a nickel deposition layer (metal deposition layer) 19is formed. The formation of the nickel deposition layer 19 causes thediamond abrasive 14 to be firmly embedded in the nickel deposition layer19. As a result, a blade portion 9 of hard abrasive is deposited in theform of generally u, onto the blade forming portion 11 a of theband-like handsaw 11. The electrolytic deposition can be carried out atone time for a number of band-like handsaw substrates 11.

[0030] A grip body 20 shown in FIG. 4 is formed (or machined)independently of the electrolytic deposition of the band-like handsawsubstrate 11. The grip body 20 is made of, for example, synthetic resin,and is constructed from two halves 21 and 22 which are split withrespect to a center plane of the thickness of the handsaw substrate 11.The grip half 21 is provided with two securing projections 21 a whichare fitted in the two holes 12 of the handsaw substrate 11. The othergrip half 22 is provided with two receptacles 22 a corresponding to thesecuring projections 21 a. The grip halves 21 and 22 are provided, onthe peripheral edges thereof, with inter-engageable projections andrecesses 21 b and 22 b, respectively. When the projections 21 b and therecesses 22 b are engaged, a space is formed between the grip halves inwhich the end of the handsaw substrate 11 is held. The blade portion 9of hard abrasive is not provided on the portion of the handsaw substrate11 that is covered by the grip body 20. The blade portion 9 of hardabrasive may be provided on both edges of the handsaw substrate 11 withrespect to the width direction thereof.

[0031] The end of the handsaw substrate 11, which has been subjected tothe electrolytic deposition, adjacent to the holes 12 is covered by thegrip halves 21 and 22 and the projections 21 a are fitted in the holes12. Thereafter, the grip halves 21 and 22 are connected through theinter-engageable projections and recesses 21 b and 22 b. As a result, ahandsaw 100 capable of cutting a glass bottle, having the grip body 20at one end can be obtained.

[0032]FIG. 5 shows a cutting operation of a bottom portion of a glassbottle 200 (wine bottle) using the handsaw 100 thus obtained. As shownin FIG. 6, the glass bottle 200 whose bottom has been cut off, can beturned upside-down and be reused, for example, as a flowerpot.

[0033]FIG. 7 shows an embodiment of a handsaw 300 having a body frame inthe form of a hacksaw frame 30. As is well known in the art, the hacksawframe 30 is generally in the form of a U-shape. The open end of thehacksaw frame is provided with a stationary pin 31 and a movable pin 32.The movable pin 32 is rotatably supported by the front end of a screwrod 33. When the screw rod 33 is moved in the axial direction through aknob 34, the distance between the stationary pin 31 and the movable pin32 is varied. The handsaw substrate 11′ is provided, on its oppositeends in the length direction, with holes 15 in which the stationary pin31 and the movable pin 32 are fitted. The handsaw substrate 11′ is alsoprovided, on one side thereof in the width direction, with a bladeportion 9 of hard abrasive, which is formed by electrolytic depositionof diamond abrasive 14 as in the above-described embodiment. The bladeportion 9 can be obtained in the same way as that shown in FIG. 2. Inthe hacksaw, the stationary pin 31 and the movable pin 32 are fitted inthe pin holes 15 of the handsaw substrate 11′. Thereafter, when thescrew rod 33 is moved in the axial direction, the handsaw substrate 11′is secured to the hacksaw frame 30. Thus, the hacksaw can be used as ahandsaw in the same way as the grip-type saw in order to cut, forexample, a glass bottle.

[0034] Although the metal to be electrolytically deposited on theband-like handsaw substrate 11 is nickel in the illustrated embodiments,it is possible to use other metals, such as copper. Moreover, theelectrolytic deposition can be replaced with electroless plating, etc.The diamond abrasive can be replaced with cubic boron nitride (CBN)abrasive, etc.

[0035] According to the present invention, not only can the handsaw cuta glass bottle 200 as described above, the handsaw can also be used tocut other objects other than the glass bottle.

[0036] As may be understood from the foregoing, according to the presentinvention, a handsaw capable of cutting a glass bottle for domestic usecan be obtained.

[0037] Obvious changes may be made in the specific embodiments of thepresent invention described herein, such modifications being within thespirit and scope of the invention claimed. It is indicated that allmatter contained herein is illustrative and does not limit the scope ofthe present invention.

What is claimed is:
 1. A handsaw capable of cutting a glass bottle,comprising: a band-like handsaw substrate which is obtained by cutting asteel strip at a predetermined length; a blade portion of hard abrasiveapplied, by deposition, to at least one edge of the band-like handsawsubstrate in the width direction; and a grip portion which allows theband-like handsaw substrate to be manually held.
 2. The handsawaccording to claim 1, wherein said grip portion comprises a grip bodywhich covers one end of the band-like handsaw substrate in the lengthdirection thereof, and which is secured to the band-like handsawsubstrate.
 3. The handsaw according to claim 2, wherein said handsawsubstrate is provided, on the grip side thereof, with at least twoholes, said grip body being split into two halves with respect to acenter plane of the thickness of the band-like handsaw substrate, one ofthe two halves being provided with projections which can be fitted inthe corresponding said holes of the band-like handsaw substrate.
 4. Thehandsaw according to claim 1, wherein said grip portion comprises ahacksaw frame to which the ends of the band-like handsaw substrate inthe length direction are secured.
 5. A method for manufacturing ahandsaw capable of cutting a glass bottle, comprising: cutting a steelstrip at a predetermined length to form a band-like handsaw substrate;masking the portion of the band-like handsaw substrate other than acutter blade forming portion formed on at least one edge of the handsawsubstrate in the width direction; applying hard abrasive on the portionof the handsaw substrate other than the masked portion thereof; anddipping the band-like handsaw substrate, to which the hard abrasive hasbeen applied, in an electrolytic solution tank to deposit a metal layerin which the hard abrasive is embedded.
 6. The method for manufacturinga handsaw according to claim 5, further comprising: securing a grip bodyto one end of the band-like handsaw substrate in the length direction,upon said band-like handsaw substrate being subjected to theelectrolytic deposition.
 7. The method for manufacturing a handsawaccording to claim 5, wherein said band-like handsaw substrate isprovided, on opposite ends thereof, with holes which are adapted tosecure the hand saw to a hacksaw frame.
 8. A method for reusing emptywine bottles, said method comprising: cutting a bottom portion of anempty wine bottle; and turning the cut said empty wine bottleupside-down so as to be utilized as a wine bottle planter.